A Road Trip to the Serene West Coast of Namma Karnataka

Day 1 - Murudeshwara

One can spend an entire day in Murudeshwara from sunrise to sunset. Overlooking the Arabian sea is the gigantic Shiva statue. The aerial view of the statue is mesmerizing, you can see this from atop the Temple. The entrance of the temple has a magnificent gopuram and an ancient feel to it. This will easily take you half a day to complete. On to the left side of the temple is the boat harbor. It stinks but just sit there and you can get some amazing shots of the horizon and local life. In the evenings, the beach area transforms into a food street. It has mouth watering bhajjis, bondas and chats served. End the day with a beach walk alongside the moon.

Things to do : Temple visit, water rides at the beach, island hoping.

Day 2 - Murudeshwara to Bhatkal

After a night stay at Murudeshwara we packed for the next stop Bhatkal. One must try the fresh mouth-watering idli and coffee for breakfast. This quiet and peaceful port town is just 20 minutes from Murudeshwara. There is much to see and do here, the Bhatkal lighthouse is a must visit. Ask the locals for directions as getting there is a bit tricky and maps are not accurate. The view from the Light house is breathtaking . A little far from there is the Jali beach, the sea is ferocious so swimming is a bad idea but you should sit by the beach for a good sunset view. It is better to rest at Murudeshwara for the night.

Things to do: Bhatkal lighthouse, Bhatkal beach and Jali beach.

Day 3 - Bhatkal to Honnavara to Kumta

Next day we started off to Honnavara which is 26 km from Murudeshwara. Just off the highway en-route is Apsarakonda waterfalls, this hidden waterfall is magical in the rainy season. There is a small park uphill with a splendid ocean view. A little farther away is Basavaraja Durga—a fortified spot and a 19 hectare island in the Arabian Sea. It is 3 km from the Sharavathi Sea Mouth and can be reached by boat.

Post lunch we headed off towards Kumta, a coastal town to the South of Gokarna. We first went straight to the Mirijan fort, as it is known for its architectural elegance. Kumta beach and Kadle beach are best for a good pleasant sunset walk. Kumta has some cozy home-stays to spend the night in.

Things to do : Apsarakonda waterfalls, Basavaraja Durga island, Kasarkod beach, Sharavati River, Mirjan fort, Kumta beach and Kadle beach.

Day 4 - Kumta to Kudle (Gokarna)

Less than an hour drive is the all famous Gokarna. As I had previously been to Om beach, this time we decided to explore Kudle beach instead. We literally did nothing else but eat, drink and then eat some more the entire day. Unlike a lot of other beaches, Kudle still holds purity and peace. The area has now developed with some petite shacks and cafes as well. It also has an amazing nightlife, striking a balance between chaos and tranquility.

Things to do: Om beach, Kudle beach, island hoping and temple visit.

Day 5 - Gokarna to Karwar

Ah! Karwar! This was a splendid surprise for me. About 60 kms from Kumta is the port city, Karwar. We first headed straight to Rabindranath Tagore beach. In the evening the locals come out to the beaches, stroll, eat and enjoy the view. Fish curry, coconut and rice, sea food is a must try here.

Things to do : Beaches and parks

Karwar has many economical stays. Either you can stay the night or drive back to Bangalore the same day.